Universal ball and socket mount

Abstract

The invention includes a mount with a knob including a shaft extending therefrom. A two piece socket housing defines a socket therebetween. The two piece socket has a portion formed as a first clamp element. A ball member is disposed in the socket and includes a slot and an attachment structure. A second clamp element has a connector, preferably an internally threaded nut captured therein. The shaft passes through a first portion of the two piece socket, the slot of the ball member, a second portion the two piece socket and terminates in the second clamp element, such that when the knob is manipulated, the two piece socket fixes the ball member in position and a clamping force is generated between the first clamp element and the second clamp element.

1. A mount, comprising:
 a knob including a threaded shaft extending therefrom; 
 a two piece socket housing defining a socket therebetween, the two piece socket comprising an outer socket portion having an outer socket inner surface facing the socket and an inner socket portion having a inner socket first surface facing the socket and an inner socket second surface facing a direction away from the socket, wherein the outer socket portion is positioned adjacent the knob, and wherein the two niece socket housing defines a first clamp element; 
 a ball member disposed in the socket between the outer socket inner surface and the inner socket first surface, the ball member having a slot and an attachment structure formed as a unitary extension of the ball member; and 
 a second clamp element comprised of the inner socket portion and an outer clamp member, the outer clamp member having a connector captured therein for connecting to the shaft, wherein the shaft passes, in the following specified order: through the outer socket portion, the slot of the ball member, the inner socket portion and terminates in the outer clamp member, such that when the knob is manipulated to draw together the first clamp element and the second clamp element, the two piece socket fixes the ball member in position in the socket and a clamping force is also generated between the inner socket portion and the outer clamp member, and further comprising a rib extending between the outer socket portion and the inner socket portion and attaching the inner and outer socket portions together.